Food or drink container

ABSTRACT

A food or drink container comprising: a container body for containing food or drink, the container body having a base portion, one or more side walls extending from the base portion and an opening spaced apart from the base portion; a cover member removably attachable to the container body to close the opening; and a storage member which is attached or attachable to the base portion of the container body to define a storage compartment.

The present invention relates to a food or drink container. Inparticular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a feedingbottle having a storage compartment.

Conventional feeding bottles for babies comprise a bottle body, a teatwhich allows milk to slowly exit the bottle body when the teat issucked, a neck piece for attaching the teat to the bottle body and acover member or cap for protecting the teat from contamination andpreventing seepage from the teat when not in use. Typically, the cap issized such that a top surface of the cap contacts and presses down onthe teat to prevent seepage. Also, the cap typically has a rim which issubstantially the same diameter as the bottle body, for attaching to thebottle body, and the side walls taper to the top surface which has asmaller diameter. Alternatively, the cap can be arcuate.

Many babies and infants suck on a dummy (also known as a soother orpacifier) and the dummy remains in the child's mouth for long periods.However, when the dummy is not in the child's mouth, there is a risk ofcontamination from air-borne particles or from germs on the surface onwhich the dummy is placed. One of these times when the dummy is not inthe child's mouth is during feeding. Also, during feeding, the cap isremoved from the bottle and set to one side. There is also a risk ofcontamination of the interior surface of the cap from air-borneparticles or from surface germs. Apart from the interior top surface ofthe cap contacting the teat upon reattachment, other portions of theinterior surface of the cap may also to make contact with the teat, suchas during re-attachment of the cap to the bottle. There is therefore arisk of contamination spreading from the interior surface of the cap tothe teat. There is a particular risk of contamination of the rim of thecap since there is a natural tendency for the feeder to place the cap ona surface in the same orientation as when it is fitted to the bottle.This is for two reasons. Firstly, rotating the cap 180 degrees afterremoval and before setting down requires fore-thought. Secondly, the capis more stable in this orientation since either the top surface has asmaller diameter than that of the rim or the cap is arcuate, in whichcase the cap is only stable when set down with the rim contacting thesupporting surface. It is also common for the dummy or the cap to bemisplaced after setting down.

It is desirable to prevent or inhibit contamination of the dummy whenthe dummy is removed from the child's mouth, such as during feeding. Itis desirable to prevent or inhibit contamination of the cap when the capis removed from the bottle, such as during feeding. It is desirable toavoid misplacing of the dummy or cap when they are set down.

WO 2008/103352 describes a feeding bottle having a bottle body and acap. The bottle body has a base which defines a recess in which may beplaced a dummy and a separate cover closes the dummy within the recess.This feeding bottle does not prevent contamination of the cap. Indeed,the cap is shown as being arcuate and so there is a greater risk ofcontamination of the rim of the cap.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,299 describes a feeding bottle having a bottle bodyand a cap. The bottle body has a base which defines a recess in whichmay be placed the cap when it is not attached to the top of the bottle.However, the cap is inserted in the base in the same orientation as whenit is attached to the top of the bottle and so no storage compartment isdefined, such as for storing a dummy. Also, the entire interior surfaceof the cap is exposed to atmosphere and is proximal to the supportingsurface when the bottle is set down. Also, the recess appears to be thesame depth as the height of the cap and so the rim will contact thesupporting surface when the bottle is set down. There is no separatecover provided to close the cap within the recess. There is therefore anincrease risk of contamination of the cap, in particular the rim of thecap.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided afood or drink container comprising:

-   -   a container body for containing food or drink, the container        body having a base portion, one or more side walls extending        from the base portion and an opening spaced apart from the base        portion;    -   a cover member removably attachable to the container body to        close the opening; and    -   a storage member which is attached or attachable to the base        portion of the container body to define a storage compartment.

The storage member may be permanently attached to the container body.Alternatively, the storage member may be removably attachable to thebase portion.

The storage member may include a first connecting portion for removablyattaching the storage member to the base portion. The first connectingportion may comprise a lid member of the storage member. The firstconnecting portion may comprise a plurality of resilient claw membersfor removably attaching the storage member to the base portion.

The storage member may include a second connecting portion adapted toallow the cover member to be removably attached to the storage member.The second connecting portion may be provided at an opposing end to thefirst connecting portion.

At least a portion of the storage member may be adapted to be removablyattachable to the container body at a location spaced apart from thebase portion. The portion of the storage member may comprise a storagemember body that does not include the lid member of the storage member.

The food or drink container may comprise a feeding bottle.Alternatively, the food or drink container may comprise a drink bottleor carton, a flask, a packaging container having any geometric profile,a storage container such as a Tupperware box, a travel pack or the like.

The or each side wall may define the opening. Alternatively, thecontainer may include a neck portion attachable to the side walls anddefining the opening. The cover member may be attachable to one or moreside walls or to the neck portion.

The storage member may have a base portion and one or more side wallssuch that the depth of the storage compartment corresponds to the heightof the or each side wall. Alternatively, the storage member may besubstantially planar and the base portion may define a recess such thatthe depth of the storage compartment corresponds to the depth of therecess. Alternatively, the height of the or each side wall and the depthof the recess may contribute to the depth of the storage compartment.

The base portion of the container body may have an annular rim or recessfor receiving a rim of the storage member. The container may be adaptedto allow push fit attachment of the storage member to the containerbody. Alternatively, the storage member may be threadably attachable tothe container body. The base portion may have two concentric annularrims for receiving the rim of the storage member within the spacingbetween the two annular rims.

The cover member may have a base portion which is substantially planar.The area of the base portion may be substantially equal or greater to anouter area defined by the container body such that the container isstable when the cover member is attached to the storage member andsupports the container body.

The defined storage compartment may be suitable for storing a dummy. Thestorage compartment may include a holding member suitable for receivinga teat of the dummy. When the container comprises a feeding bottle, theholding member may be suitable for receiving a teat of the feedingbottle.

The holding member may comprise a continuous or segmented annular rim.

Alternatively, the holding member may comprise an insert having a recessfor receiving the teat of the dummy or feeding bottle. At least aportion of the insert may be removable or replaceable. The insert may beabsorbent. The insert may be treatable to provide a sterilizing action.Alternatively or in addition, the insert may be movable or compressibleto make close contact with the teat to prevent or inhibit exposure ofthe teat to air.

The cover member may be adapted such that at least some air isexpellable from the interior of the cover member when the cover memberis attached to the container body. Attachment of the cover member to thecontainer body may cause the expelling of air from the interior of thecover member. The cover member may be adapted such that it iscompressible and compression of the cover member is required for fullattachment of the cover member to the container body. Alternatively, thecover member may be compressible when it is attached to the containerbody to expel air. The cover member may include a one way valve to allowthe expelling of air and to prevent air re-entering the interior of thecover member.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an expanded perspective view of a first embodiment of afood or drink container;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of a storagemember for the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a food ordrink container;

FIG. 4 shows an expanded side view of a third embodiment of a food ordrink container in a use configuration; and

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the food or drink container of FIG. 4 in adisplay configuration.

FIG. 1 shows a container in the form of a feeding bottle 10. The bottle10 comprises a bottle body 20 having a base portion 30 and an annularside wall 32 extending upwards from the base portion 30. Attached to theside wall 32 is a neck piece 34 which allows the fitting of a teat 36 tothe bottle body 20. The teat 36 has an opening 38 to allow milk to besucked out of the bottle 10. A cover member or cap 40 is removablyattachable to the upper portion of the bottle body 20 to close theopening 38.

The bottle 10 includes a storage member 50 which is removably attachableto the base portion 30. The storage unit includes its own cover memberor lid 52 which can be attached by twisting to the body of the storageunit 50. The lid 52 includes a first connecting portion in the form ofan annular rim for removably attaching the storage member 50 to the baseportion 30.

The storage member 50 also includes a second connecting portion, also inthe form of an annular rim, provided at an end opposite the lid 52. Thisis adapted to allow the cap 40 to be removably attached to the storagemember 50 even when the storage member 50 is attached to the bottle 10.

Both the base portions of the cap 40 and the storage member 50 aresubstantially planar and have an outer diameter which is substantiallyequal to an outer diameter defined by the bottle body 20. Therefore, thebottle 10 is stable when the storage member 50 is attached to the bottle10, whether or not the cap 40 is attached to the storage member 50, andthe assembly is set down on a supporting surface.

The defined storage compartment can store a dummy 100. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 2, an insert 41 can be provided in the storage member 50which has a recess 43 for receiving the teat 102 of the dummy 100 andthe teat 36 of the feeding bottle 10. This insert 41 could bereplaceable and formed from an absorbent material to absorb saliva. Theinsert could also absorb a safe sterilizing agent to assist sterilizingof the teats.

In another alternative embodiment, the cap 40 could be adapted so thatat least some air can be expelled from the interior of the cap 40. Thiscould be when the cap 40 is attached to the bottle body 20 or duringattachment.

In use, a carer for a child can fill the bottle 10, followingsterilization, with milk to feed the child. If the child sucks a dummy100, the dummy can be removed from the child's mouth and placed withinthe storage member 50. The cap 40 can then be fitted to the storagemember 50. This inhibits loss or contamination of both the interior ofthe cap 40 and the dummy 100. During breaks in feeding, the carer cansafely set the bottle 10 down without the bottle being likely to tipover (which could cause contact of the teat 36 with a contaminatedobject).

The storage member 50 can also be stored separate from the bottle 10,such as within a hand bag or pocket. The storage member 50 could also beused for storing, say, baby food.

In an alternative embodiments, a number of removably attachable storagemembers 50 could be provided, such as in a stacked arrangement. Thiswould allow, for example, the separate storing of a dummy 100 and babyfood.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the container couldcomprise a food storage box 60. In this case, the cover member could bea planar lid 70 and the side walls could extend beyond the base portion62 of the box 60 to define a recess having a depth. The lid 70 could beinverted to cover the recess or, preferably, a second lid could beprovided. The extending side walls, and the associated lid would thendefine the storage member and the dimensions of the storage compartment.This box 60 could be used for, say, storing and transporting food forlunch and the storage compartment could be used to temporarily storewaste food and packaging until this can be disposed as refuse.Alternative, different foods could be stored without mixing occurringduring transport.

Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This is similar to that ofFIG. 1 with a couple of exceptions.

In this embodiment, the first connecting portion comprises threeresilient claw members 80 for removably attaching the storage member 50to the base portion of the bottle 10. These extend from the lid 52 ofthe storage member 50 and are equispaced around the circumference of thelid 52.

Also, the body 54 of the storage member 50 can be detached from the lid52 and then removably attached to the other end of the bottle 10 overthe cap 40. The lid 52 can remain attached to the base of the bottle 10.This allows the overall height of the assembly to be only slightlygreater than the bottle 10 alone, which is useful for portability or forpackaging and display in a shop.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

1. A food or drink container comprising: a container body for containingfood or drink, the container body having a base portion, one or moreside walls extending from the base portion and an opening spaced apartfrom the base portion; a cover member removably attachable to thecontainer body to close the opening; and a storage member which isattached or attachable to the base portion of the container body todefine a storage compartment.
 2. A container as claimed in claim 1,wherein the storage member is permanently attached to the containerbody.
 3. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage memberis removably attachable to the container body.
 4. A container as claimedin claim 3, wherein the storage member includes a first connectingportion for removably attaching the storage member to the base portion.5. A container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first connectingportion comprises a lid member of the storage member.
 6. A container asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the first connecting portion comprises aplurality of resilient claw members for removably attaching the storagemember to the base portion.
 7. A container as claimed in claim 4,wherein the storage member includes a second connecting portion adaptedto allow the cover member to be removably attached to the storagemember.
 8. A container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the secondconnecting portion is provided at an opposing end to the firstconnecting portion.
 9. A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein atleast a portion of the storage member is adapted to be removablyattachable to the container body at a location spaced apart from thebase portion.
 10. A container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the portionof the storage member comprises a storage member body that does notinclude the lid member of the storage member.
 11. A container as claimedin claim 1, wherein the food or drink container comprises a feedingbottle.
 12. A container as claimed in claim 3, wherein the base portionhas an annular rim or recess for receiving a rim of the storage member.13. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover member has abase portion which is substantially planar, and wherein the area of thebase portion is substantially equal to or greater than an outer areadefined by the container body such that the container is stable when thecover member is attached to the storage member and supports thecontainer body.
 14. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein thedefined storage compartment is suitable for storing a dummy.
 15. Acontainer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the storage compartmentincludes a holding member suitable for receiving a teat of a dummy orfeeding bottle.
 16. A container as claimed in claim 15, wherein theholding member comprises an insert having a recess for receiving theteat of the dummy or feeding bottle.
 17. A container as claimed in claim16, wherein the insert is adapted to provide a sterilizing action.
 18. Acontainer as claimed in claim 16, wherein the insert is movable orcompressible to make close contact with the teat to prevent or inhibitexposure of the teat to air.
 19. A container as claimed in claim 1,wherein the cover member is adapted such that at least some air isexpellable from the interior of the cover member when the cover memberis attached to the container body.
 20. A container as claimed in claim19, wherein attachment of the cover member to the container body causesthe expelling of air from the interior of the cover member.
 21. Acontainer as claimed in claim 19, wherein the cover member is adaptedsuch that it is compressible, and wherein compression of the covermember is required for full attachment of the cover member to thecontainer body.